News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Ministry Continues Despite Pandemic Restrictions

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

During the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Conference leadership recognized one thing: Ministry does not stop. Woven into their COVID-19 “Ministry Action Plan” are words of encouragement: “Worship is a way of life and has not, and will not, be canceled. Ministry does not stop because we cannot worship together in a building. Ministry can and will continue because of you.”

Pastors, teachers, church members and students quickly adapted to virtual worship and classes, finding innovative ways to remain connected and share Jesus with others. Pastors met weekly via Zoom, sharing what was working within their regions and seeking guidance for difficult circumstances. Innovation and perseverance flourished across churches and schools during quarantine.

Camp Blue Ridge to Hold Groundbreaking, Grand Reopening Ceremony

Story by Tiffany Doss

A historic groundbreaking ceremony will take place at Potomac Conference's Camp Blue Ridge in Montebello, Va., on October 10 at 4 p.m.—marking the beginning of Phase 1 of the Master Plan for the campus. The Master Plan, designed to improve the overall guest experience and create additional adult housing and meeting spaces—including an adult retreat center—will kick off with construction of a new cafeteria with increased dining space.

Pottinger Retires, Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry

New Jersey Conference’s Ministerial Director Leonel Pottinger (pictured with his wife, Miriam) retires after nearly 50 years of ministry. Photo by Shawn Koh.

Story by New Jersey Conference Staff

Leonel Pottinger, the ministerial director for the New Jersey Conference (NJC), recently retired after nearly 50 years of selfless ministry.

Search Committee to Replace Rob Vandeman Set Up

In September the union Executive Committee set up a search committee to replace Rob Vandeman, who plans to retire from that position at the end of 2020. The candidate will serve in an interim capacity until the Union’s constituency meeting July 10-11, 2021, when officers will be elected for the next five-year term.

Read more from that Executive Committee meeting here.

Seeds of Christ’s Love Sown at Summer Camp

In 2020, counselors (back row) Charles Ames, Andrew Jones, Joshua Fahey, (front row) Mark Ames and Jed Williamson make a difference in the lives of campers.

Story by Edward Marton

WGTS Wraps Up Virtual Summer Concert Series

WGTS morning show hosts Jerry Woods and Blanca Vega kick off the Unspoken concert from the mall with Tysons Corner Center marketing director Todd Putt.

Story by Jerry Woods

For six years listeners have been enjoying the WGTS 91.9 Summer Concert Series with Tysons Corner Center. It’s the station’s premier summer event on Friday evenings on a large outdoor plaza. This year the pandemic changed everything, but the series continued, albeit in a new format.

‘Blessings in Disguise’: Evangelism Efforts Thrive Through Pandemic

Story by V. Michelle Bernard and Jenevieve Lettsome

Many churches across the Columbia Union Conference are still closed for in-person worship due to the coronavirus pandemic, including all churches in the Allegheny East and West conferences. Churches in the New Jersey Conference have experienced 38 deaths as a result of COVID-19. Eighty percent of these churches are now open at 25 percent capacity, reported President Dave Weigley at the September 17 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting.

Kelly Butler Coe Promoted to Associate Director of Communication

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Pick up an issue of the Visitor magazine, and you’ll find her imprint all over it. Open a program for any Columbia Union Conference event, and you’ll feel her style. Browse columbiaunion.org, and you’ll see her meticulous attention to detail.

Kelly Butler Coe, art director and graphic designer for the Visitor at the Columbia Union, has been an assistant director of Communication since 2000. Today she was promoted to associate director during the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting.

Connection Community Serves as Safe Haven

John Coaxum (left) and Max Gomez, pastors at the Connection Community church, engage the young adult community in authentic and effective ways.

Story by Benia Jennings

Young adults are becoming more absent from churches. Finding creative ways to minister to this age-group is a well-known challenge, not only in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but within other denominations as well.

‘I Will Give You Rest’

Editorial by Rick Remmers

These are five life-saving words. When each day seems to bring a heavy weight of chaos, conflict and uncertainty, these simple words of Jesus have a great impact: “I will give you rest.” He prefaces these words with an open invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28, NKJV).

These words are given by the One who spoke and created the world. The One whose voice called out, “Peace, be still,” and the storm stopped and the waves were calmed. This same Jesus is the guarantor of our rest. He is willing and able to provide rest as a free gift, without reservation.